Building Stronger Student Ministries, One Leader at a Time
Over the years, the BMA of Arkansas Youth Department (Student Ministry Matters) has served a variety of purposes. In its early days, it was about providing activities and conferences for our students. In 2018, we made a shift. We determined that one of the best ways to help our students was to help our student ministry workers. That shift has done many things, but one of the best is the ability to help our volunteer and bivocational student ministry workers. Churches in the BMA of Arkansas are primarily “normative” size, as Mark Clifton of the Revitalize and Replant Podcast puts it. That is, they are 125 people and down in size. Most of those churches are not able to hire a full-time student pastor. Even if the student ministry worker is full-time, they are likely filling another role within the church and working with teenagers. That means that most of the adults working in our churches are bivocational in one sense or another. We exist to help them, along with full-time and volunteer student ministry workers, reach the next generation for Jesus.
Justin Huie is the bivocational student pastor at Celebration Baptist Church in Haskell. He is a native of Haskell and a graduate of Harmony Grove High School. He is married to Kristin, and they have a 13-year-old daughter, Avery. At 39 years old, he surrendered to God’s calling on his life, specifically to work with students. I asked Justin to share his story:
“I felt God nudging or tugging at my heart that I was made to be a student pastor. For years, I told God no. I told Him I was not eloquent with my words, that I couldn’t speak in front of many people and that I was unqualified. But in June 2024, I surrendered to Him. Finally, I realized the plan God had all along for me. It only took 39 years for me to figure out my purpose in life!
“I immediately began serving as the student pastor at Celebration Baptist Church. Being brand new to ministry, I didn’t know much but was willing to learn. My pastor, Allan Eakin, suggested I attend the one-day Student Ministry Matters retreat at Central Baptist College in Conway.
“Upon arrival, I was welcomed with a goodie bag, merchandise, some swag, smiling faces, breakfast and coffee — a truly welcoming experience. I quickly found my spot in the back row. As people arrived, I recognized several from church camp and the recent SOAR conference. Throughout the day, I was given literature for guidance, ideas, and “how-tos,” plus I heard some amazing preaching and teaching. We split into groups and listened to different talks and discussions on dealing with certain situations we might experience in our student ministry. I attended this event alone, but I was not alone — the camaraderie and passion I had after this one-day event was amazing. The friendships and community built during this single day of fellowship are incredible.
“During the drive home, I made multiple phone calls and told my youth volunteers about the event and that they needed to attend in 2025.
“Since the event, I have continued to get texts, emails, updates, social media posts, lesson ideas, game ideas, insights and guidance. The relationships built help me with questions I have when I’m stuck studying for a lesson and encourage me daily.
“In my opinion, the Student Ministry Student Leaders Conference is a must! It has helped me grow in ministry and move forward in leading my students. I can’t wait for the 2025 event.”
We hope you will join Justin and his team for this year’s Student Ministry Workers Retreat. It is set for Sept. 20, 2025, at Central Baptist College in Conway from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. We intentionally keep it short enough that you can drive in from any part of the state and then back home in one day. Stephen Castleberry of Antioch Georgetown will be our featured speaker as we emphasize “Technology and Student Ministry.” We will be talking about social media, digital tools, the dangers of technology and more. We are currently lining out break-out leaders and will share that information as it becomes available through Facebook, Instagram and our website.
If you want to register, visit smwr2025.eventbrite.com. Feel free to reach out to me at BMAyouthdepartment@gmail.com if you have any questions.
